R-2 Cutaway

The Soviet R-2 ballistic missile was developed in 1947-1953, nearly in parallel with the R-1 from which it derived. It incorporated many detailed improvements, had double the range of the R-1 and V-2, and was equipped with a deadly radiological warhead. The ethyl alcohol used in the V-2 and R-1 was replaced by methyl alcohol in the R-2, eliminating the problem of the launch troops drinking up the rocket fuel. Versions of the R-2 for suborbital manned flight were studied by Korolev in 1956-1958, but it was decided instead to move directly to orbital flights of the Vostok. However some equipment tested on the R-2 found its way onto canine flights of Sputnik and Vostok. The R-2 design was transferred to China in 1957 to 1961, providing the technical basis of the Chinese rocket industry.

The German engineers at Zentralwerke had already begun development of an improved V-2 engine in 1945. Through relatively simple measures the thrust was increased to 30 metric tons. Glushko then found that by using 96% alcohol fuel in place of the V-2's 75%, the basic engine would deliver 37 metric tons thrust. Experimental tests of these tweaked V-2 and all-Russian RD-100 engines were conducted in 1948 - 1949. Official state trials tests were conducted at Zagorsk in 1950.

The R-2 was designed by Korolev in 1947-1948 in competition with Groettrup's G-1. Korolev's approach was to apply simple measures to double the range of the V-2. The increased-thrust engine allowed the rocket to be stretched, with a lift-off mass 50% greater than the V-2. When the G-1 and R-2 were evaluated by the State Commission in December 1948, the G-1 was found the superior design. Korolev fought the decision for a long time, updating his R-2 design to include some of the G-1's features, such as the use of an integral fuel tank, and improved accuracy through a radio-controlled engine cut-off system (russified by Mikahil Borisenko). Finally the decision was reversed and Korolev's design was accepted for test. State trials flights were conducted from 21 September 1949 to July 1951. Barmin had already designed the mobile launch complex to accommodate either the R-1 or R-2 missiles. The system was accepted into the military on 27 November 1951. A 30 November 1951 decree authorized series production at factory 586 at Dnepropetrovsk. The first launch by a military unit was made with a prototype rocket in 1952. The first production rocket was rolled out there in June 1953 (only six months after the first all-Dnepropetrovsk R-1).

The gruesome Geran radiological warhead was developed for use with the R-2. This dispersed a radioactive liquid at altitude, resulting in a deadly 'radioactive rain' falling in a wide area around the impact point.

R-2's were deployed in rocket brigades equipped with six launchers (three divisions per brigade, each division with two batteries). The 54th and 56th brigades were formed for test launches at Kapustin Yar on 1 June 1952. Following receipt of production missiles in 1953, divisions were deployed to Zhitomir; Kolomiya; Medved, Novgorod oblast; Kamyshin, Volgograd oblast; Siauliai, Lithuania; Dzhambul, Kazakhstan; and Ordzhonikidze, in the Far East.

In field use a crew of 11 was required for launch preparations. The radio-correction system required two truck-mounted stations. It took six hours to prepare the rocket for launch, including 15 minutes for the guidance system to be programmed. Once prepared, the rocket could be held in a ready-to-launch condition for 24 hours before it had to be defuelled and recycled. The rocket was launched in service at temperatures from -40 deg C to +50 deg C, and at wind speeds of up to 15 m/s.

On 6 December 1957 an agreement was signed to license production of the R-2 to China. A huge team of Russian rocket engineers and technicians went to Beijing to set up the production line. This rocket provided the technological base for the subsequent Chinese rocket programs.

Aside from the basic military service version of the R-2, specialized variants included:

• R-2E: Prototype rocket with characteristics of both the R-1 and R-2 used to test the integral fuel tank and separable warhead planned for the production R-2 missile.
• R-2R: Evidently used to test the advanced radio controlled cut-off system being developed for the R-3. However this may also just identify certain R-2A flights with this payload. No launch dates conclusively known.
• R-2A: This was the main variant for scientific work, used to continue the experiment series of the R-1 to a height of 200 kilometers. Instruments were carried to study the atmosphere over 150 km; ultra-violet observation of the sun; ultra-violet astronomy; the ionosphere; and recovery of biological payloads (dogs and rabbits) from double the altitude of the R-1.

Technical details: Payload 1350 / 508 kg. Range 550 km (576 km in R-2E version). Maximum altitude 171 km. Time of flight 7.5 minutes. Max velocity at burnout 2175 m/s. Accuracy 8 km in range, 4 km laterally. The R-2A version could carry 1400 kg on a 209 km vertical shot.

Manufacturer: Korolev. Launches: 78. Failures: 18. Success Rate: 76.92%. First Launch Date: 1949-09-25. Last Launch Date: 1960-09-01. Launch data is: incomplete. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). Liftoff Thrust: 364.900 kN (82,033 lbf). Total Mass: 20,091 kg (44,293 lb). Core Diameter: 1.83 m (6.00 ft). Total Length: 17.68 m (58.00 ft). Span: 4.27 m (14.00 ft). Standard warhead mass: 570 kg (1,250 lb). Maximum range: 550 km (340 mi). Number Standard Warheads: 1. Standard warhead CEP: 6.94 km (4.31 mi). Boost Propulsion: Storable liquid rocket, Lox/.92 Alcohol. Guidance: Command Link. Maximum speed: 7,850 kph (4,870 mph). Ceiling: 170,700 m (560,000 ft).

Military production version.

Liftoff Thrust: 364.900 kN (82,033 lbf). Total Mass: 19,632 kg (43,281 lb). Core Diameter: 1.65 m (5.42 ft). Total Length: 21.00 m (68.00 ft).

The R-2A was designed for scientific research at altitudes of up to 200 km, including properties of the atmosphere from 150-200 km; ultraviolet observations of the sun; recovery of animals from flights to 200 km altitude; and study of the ionosphere at altitudes of 150-200 km.

Apogee: 212 km (131 mi). Liftoff Thrust: 363.000 kN (81,605 lbf). Total Mass: 20,300 kg (44,700 lb). Core Diameter: 1.65 m (5.41 ft). Total Length: 17.00 m (55.00 ft).

The R-2E prototype tested technological innovations planned for the production R-2 missile. These included use of an integral fuel tank and a seperable warhead.

Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). Liftoff Thrust: 363.000 kN (81,605 lbf). Total Mass: 20,300 kg (44,700 lb). Core Diameter: 1.65 m (5.41 ft). Total Length: 17.00 m (55.00 ft).

• Stage Number: 1. 1 x Stage: R-2. Gross Mass: 19,632 kg (43,281 lb). Empty Mass: 4,592 kg (10,123 lb). Thrust (vac): 404.112 kN (90,848 lbf). Isp: 237 sec. Burn time: 85 sec. Isp(sl): 214 sec. Diameter: 1.65 m (5.42 ft). Span: 3.56 m (11.69 ft). Length: 17.65 m (57.90 ft). Propellants: Lox/Alcohol. No Engines: 1. Engine: RD-101. Other designations: 8Zh38. Payload 1350 / 508 kg. Range 550 km. Maximum altitude 171 km. Time of flight 7.5 minutes. Max velocity at burnout 2175 m/s. Accuracy 8 km in range, 4 km laterally.

1946 October 23 - Launch Vehicle: G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-5.

• Groettrup team transported to Soviet Union. Nation: USSR. In overnight roundup, 20,000 Germans transported to USSR to transfer technology on aerospace and other technical fields. References: 86.

• Decree for production of R-1 and R-2 missiles, design of R-3. Nation: USSR. Decree 'On work on the R-1 and R-2 missiles' was issued. To accomplish putting the R-1 into production the resources of 13 research institutes and 35 factories were tapped. Glushko was tasked with producing the RD-100 copy of the V-2 engine. R-1 stand tests began the same day the decree was issued (Prototypes had already begun factory tests at the end of 1947). The decree also set forth design goals for the R-3.The specification was an order of magnitude leap from the other vehicles - to deliver a 3 tonne atomic bomb to any point in Europe from Soviet territory - a required range of 3000 km.References: 474.

• G-1 and R-2 designs evaluated by Soviet State Commission. Nation: USSR. The team defended the G-1 draft project on 28 December 1948. The State Commission found the G-1 to be superior to Korolev's R-2 design in many respects. However the Russian designers managed to convince the government to put the R-2 rather than the G-1 into production by arguing that the manufacturing technology of the G-1 could not be mastered immediately by Soviet Union. Several of the design concepts (integrated propellant tanks, radio-controlled cut-off, forward liquid oxygen tank) were however used by the Russians in their R-2 and R-5 rockets.

• Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). Modification of R-1 missile to test R-2 concepts (integral fuel tank and seperable warhead). Range achieved 541.3 km. Deviation from aim point -0.2 km. Launched at 1416 local time. References: 283, 344, 283.

• Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). Range achieved 562.2 km. Deviation from aim point -9.3 km. Launched at 1449 local time. References: 283, 344, 283.

• Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). Range achieved 324.1 km. Deviation from aim point -11.4 km. Launched at 1400 local time. References: 283, 344, 283.

• Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). Range achieved 569.8 km. Deviation from aim point -0.8 km. Launched at 0905 local time. References: 283, 344, 283.

• Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). Range achieved 9 km. Deviation from aim point 1.7 km. Launched at 1545 local time. References: 283, 344, 283.

• First series test launch Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). First launch in first test series of protoype missiles. References: 283, 344, 283.

• First series test launch Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). References: 283.

• First series test launch Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). First launch to full range. References: 283, 344, 283.

• First series test launch Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). References: 283.

• First series test launch Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). References: 283.

• First series test launch Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). References: 283.

• First series test launch Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). References: 283.

• First series test launch Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). References: 283.

• First series test launch Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). References: 283.

• First series test launch Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). References: 283.

• First series test launch Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). References: 283, 344, 283.

• First series test launch Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). Twelfth and final launch in prototype test series. All missiles failed to reach targets. References: 283.

• Second series test launch Nation: USSR. First launch in second test series. References: 283, 344.

• Second series test launch Nation: USSR. First launch in second test series. References: 283, 344.

• Second series test launch Nation: USSR. First launch in second test series. References: 283, 344.

• Second series test launch Nation: USSR. First launch in second test series. References: 283, 344.

• Second series test launch Nation: USSR. First launch in second test series. References: 283, 344.

• Second series test launch Nation: USSR. First launch in second test series. References: 283, 344.

• Second series test launch Nation: USSR. First launch in second test series. References: 283, 344.

• Second series test launch Nation: USSR. First launch in second test series. References: 283, 344.

• Second series test launch Nation: USSR. First launch in second test series. References: 283, 344.

• Second series test launch Nation: USSR. First launch in second test series. References: 283, 344.

• Second series test launch Nation: USSR. First launch in second test series. References: 283, 344.

• Second series test launch Nation: USSR. First launch in second test series. References: 283, 344.

• Second series test launch Nation: USSR. Thirteenth and last launch of the second series. 12 of the 13 reached their targets. References: 283, 344.

• R-2 accepted for military service. Nation: USSR. Council of Soviet Ministers (SM) Decree 4972-2096 'On adoption of the R-2 into armaments' was issued. References: 474.

• R-2 production authorised. Nation: USSR. Ministry of Armaments Decree 'On starting of series production of the R-2 at Dnepropetrovsk Plant No. 586' was issued. The first launch by a military unit was made with a prototype rocket in 1952. References: 474.

• R-2 test brigades organised Nation: USSR. The 54th and 56th brigades were formed for test launches at Kapustin Yar. R-2's were deployed in rocket brigades equipped with six launchers (three divisions per brigade, each division with two batteries).

• Third series controlled test launch Nation: USSR. First launch of production quality assurance test series. References: 283, 344.

• Third series controlled test launch Nation: USSR. First launch of production quality assurance test series. References: 283, 344.

• Third series controlled test launch Nation: USSR. First launch of production quality assurance test series. References: 283, 344.

• Third series controlled test launch Nation: USSR. First launch of production quality assurance test series. References: 283, 344.

• Third series controlled test launch Nation: USSR. First launch of production quality assurance test series. References: 283, 344.

• Third series controlled test launch Nation: USSR. First launch of production quality assurance test series. References: 283, 344.

• Third series controlled test launch Nation: USSR. First launch of production quality assurance test series. References: 283, 344.

• Third series controlled test launch Nation: USSR. First launch of production quality assurance test series. References: 283, 344.

• Third series controlled test launch Nation: USSR. First launch of production quality assurance test series. References: 283, 344.

• Third series controlled test launch Nation: USSR. First launch of production quality assurance test series. References: 283, 344.

• Third series controlled test launch Nation: USSR. First launch of production quality assurance test series. References: 283, 344.

• Third series controlled test launch Nation: USSR. First launch of production quality assurance test series. References: 283, 344.

• Third series controlled test launch Nation: USSR. First launch of production quality assurance test series. References: 283, 344.

• Third series controlled test launch Nation: USSR. 14th and last launch in quality assurance testing. 12 of the 14 reached their targets. References: 283, 344.

• First R-2 production delivery Nation: USSR. The first production rocket was rolled out at Dnepropetrovsk (only six months after the first all-Dnepropetrovsk R-1). Following receipt of production missiles, divisions were deployed to Zhitomir; Kolomoaya; Medved, Novgorod oblast; Kamyshin, Volgograd oblast; Shyalya, Lithuania; Dzhambul, Kazakhstan; and Ordzhonikidze, in the Far East.

• First production series test launch. Nation: USSR. First launch of series production missile. References: 283, 344.

• First production series test launch. Nation: USSR. First launch of series production missile. References: 283, 344.

• First production series test launch. Nation: USSR. First launch of series production missile. References: 283, 344.

• First production series test launch. Nation: USSR. First launch of series production missile. References: 283, 344.

• First production series test launch. Nation: USSR. First launch of series production missile. References: 283, 344.

• First production series test launch. Nation: USSR. First launch of series production missile. References: 283, 344.

• First production series test launch. Nation: USSR. First launch of series production missile. References: 283, 344.

• First production series test launch. Nation: USSR. First launch of series production missile. References: 283, 344.

• First production series test launch. Nation: USSR. First launch of series production missile. References: 283, 344.

• First production series test launch. Nation: USSR. 10th and last launch in production missile series, 8 successes References: 283, 344.

• First test launch of missile modified for heavier payload. Nation: USSR. References: 283, 344.

• Final test launch of missile modified for heavier payload. Nation: USSR. References: 283, 344.

• Experimental flight test, plume effect on telemetry transmission. Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). R-3 development work. References: 283.

• Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). References: 283.

• Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). References: 283.

• Soviet Leadership tours Korolev's design bureau Nation: USSR. Khrushchev, Molotov, Bulganin, and other leaders are given a tour of Korolev’s OKB-1 in Kaliningrad. They are shown the R-1, R-2 and R-5 missiles as well as a mock-up of the R-7 and are awed. Ustinov reports that only five warheads would be needed to destroy Britain, and seven to nine for France. The need for the R-12 was discussed - the longer range was essential so that the missiles could be based farther from NATO’s borders (the experience of the German invasion and quick destruction of forward-based units and equipment was on everyone’s minds).References: 539.

• Sounding rocket variants of R-2 and R-5 authorised. Nation: USSR. Decree 'MOP On production of the R-5A and R-2A scientific missiles at Plant No. 586' was issued. References: 474.

• Russian agrees to sell China two R-1 missiles Nation: China. Program: Long March. They were delivered in December 1956. Tsien is disgusted to find that the missiles are nothing but copies of the V-2. Something more advanced is needed, he argues to the Russians. References: 87.

• Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 283.

• Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 283.

• First operational R-2A launch; carried dogs. Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 212 km (131 mi). References: 283.

• Second operational R-2A launch Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 212 km (131 mi). References: 283.

• SOI Solar Ultraviolet mission Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 942.

• Ionosphere/Biological mission Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 206 km (128 mi). References: 283, 344, 1118.

• Ionosphere/Biological mission Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 185 km (114 mi). References: 283, 344, 1118.

• Ionosphere mission Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 212 km (131 mi). References: 283, 344, 1118.

• Russia to assist China in missile development Nation: China. Program: Long March. Russian and China sign New Defense Technical Accord, whereby Russia will supply China with protoype atomic bomb and two R-2 missiles, and related technical data. Under the agreement the Soviet Union will provide to China the necessary specialists, training, and tooling for licensed production of the R-2 ballistic missile (an improved version of the V-2).References: 87.

• R-2 licensed for production in China. Nation: USSR. On 6 December 1957 an agreement was signed to license production of the R-2 to China. A huge team of Russian rocket engineers and technicians went to Beijing to set up the production line. This rocket provided the technological base for the subsequent Chinese rocket programs.

• R-2 missiles arrive in China. Nation: China. Program: Long March. A Red Army missile battalion with two R-2's and their launchers arrive in Beijing by rail. They are secretly moved to the premises of the Fifth Academy in the middle of the night. References: 87.

• Beginning of construction at Jiuquan missile test site Nation: China. Program: Long March. The 20th Corps of the People's Liberation Army begins construction of launch and tracking facilities at Jiuquan. Wells are dug, willow and poplar trees are planted, roads and housing are constructed. References: 87.

• Ionosphere/Biological mission Nation: USSR. Agency: MVS. Apogee: 211 km (131 mi). References: 283, 344, 1118.

• R-2A launch Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 212 km (131 mi). References: 283.

• Ionosphere/Biological mission Nation: USSR. Agency: MVS. Apogee: 209 km (129 mi). References: 1118.

• Missile development plans set. Nation: China. Program: Long March. Fifth Academy finalizes plan to proceed development of indigenous Dong Feng missiles (original DF-1, DF-2, DF-3 designations) References: 87.

• R-2A launch Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 212 km (131 mi). References: 283.

• R-2A flight Nation: USSR. Apogee: 212 km (131 mi). Carried dogs Otvazhnaya and Snezhinka, rabbit Marfusha. References: 283, 344.

• Solar Ultraviolet mission Nation: USSR. Agency: MVS. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 283, 344, 942.

• Ionosphere/Aeronomy mission Nation: USSR. Agency: MVS. Apogee: 203 km (126 mi). References: 283, 344, 1592.

• Solar X-ray mission Nation: USSR. Agency: MVS. Apogee: 105 km (65 mi). References: 942.

• Carried dogs (Otvazhnaya and one unnamed). Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 212 km (131 mi). References: 283.

• Carried dogs, final operational R-2A launch. Nation: USSR. Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 212 km (131 mi). References: 283.

• Soviet/China break. Nation: China. In the preceding months relations between the Soviet advisors and Chinese engineers had been strained by increasing Soviet secrecy. The Russians catch Chinese students at the Moscow Aviation Institute stealing restricted missile data. Finally Khrushchev declared the suspension of military assistance to China. All 1,343 Soviet specialists are withdrawn from the Fifth Academy in Beijing and return to Russia. They leave behind 343 uncompleted contracts. A total of 257 technical development projects were cancelled as a result.

• Last Russian advisers leave China. Nation: China. Program: Long March. The last Russian technical advisers are withdrawn from China. References: 87.

• Test mission Nation: China. Program: Long March. Agency: PRC. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). The rocket was built in the Soviet Union but used Chinese propellants. This launch took place just a month after all Soviet experts were withdrawn from China. References: 87, 398.

• McDowell, Jonathan, Jonathan's Space Home Page, Harvard University, 1997-present. Jonathan McDowell's complete on-line listing of all objects orbited and over 20,000 rocket launches Accessed at: http://www.planet4589.org/jsr.html.

• Semenov, Yu. P., S P Korolev Space Corporation Energia, RKK Energia, 1994. ISBN: 1896522815. Dual English/Russian language picture book of the history of the Energia Corporation. Many unique photos and drawings of Korolev's rockets and spacecraft. Republished by Apogee books in 2000. More at amazon.com...

• Vetrov, G S, S. P. Korolev i evo delo, Nauka, Moscow, 1998. ISBN: 5020036846. The collected papers of Soviet Chief Designer Korolev. A tremendous source of new information and insight on the Soviet space program. Russian language. More at amazon.com...

• Siddiqi, Asif A, Soviet Space Web Page, 1999 via Dietrich Haeseler. Asif Siddiqi presents material that could not be fit into his monumental 'Challenge to Apollo'. Accessed at: http://home.earthlink.net/~cliched/main_space.html.

• Karpenko, A V, Utkin, A F and Popov,A D, Otechestvenniye strategischeskiye raketnoye kompleks, Sankt-Peterburg: Nevskii bastion; Gangut 1999.. Well-illustrated encyclopedia of the missiles of the Russian strategic missile forces.